Faultless Vettel wins action packed Korean Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel rocketed to the lead right from the word ´GO´ and successfully overcame two safety car periods to win his fourth consecutive win of the season at the Korean Grand Prix with Lotus drivers Raikonnen and Grosjean in 2nd and 3rd. 

The race started Vettel flying away in the lead and Hamilton losing second place to Grosjean on turn 2 but the main action came in turn 3 when Massa outbraked 3 cars to get caught in the kerbs and spining mid track almost taking off team mate Alonso and causing slight clipping between other cars in avoiding action.

Massa managed to rejoin at the back of the pack. The race was close between 2nd and 7thposition but race leader Sebastian Vettel on the Red Bull was on a race of his own. Meanwhile Raikonnen on the Lotus was climbing up the ladder after starting 9th on the grid.

During mid race as Rosberg tried to overtake team mate Hamilton on the straight, the former's front nose cone went loose and started to drag on the track causing massive sparks. Hamilton had to wait for 2laps to pit until Rosberg was cleared with a new nose cone. Force India's Di Resta was the first to retire on lap 22 as he slid out of the track and hit the barriers making it a 5th consecutive DNF from the driver.

As the race was developing smooth without any major crashes it was Perez on the McLaren who was fighting with Raikonnen locked up his front right so hard and with in two corner the tyre surface delaminated and flew on the track creating a massive debris on the track as well as a puncture for the McLaren. Soon the safety car was called in while the track was cleared off.

By lap 35 as the race restarted all excitement began. Vettel got a slingshot ahead of Grosjean and soon Hulkenberg got passed Hamilton's Mercedes while on turn 3 Sutil had a massive spin and slid onto Webber's Red Bull hitting it hard damaging the oil lines causing a fire. Webber had to stop and get out of the car immediately which was in heavy smoke and fire bringing in the safety car again into the track. Despite the fire the action continued on track and moments before the safety car was called in Raikonnen made a late and close overtaking on his team mate Grosjean who was caught by surprise. 

There was slight confusion when a Fire Marshall car was in the track even before the Safety car came in and also in front of the fast pursuing F1 cars while the safety car was behind the pack coming in a few moments later, As the confusion rested and the fire extinguised from the Red Bull of Webber the race restarted.

This time Raikonnen didnt let Vettel get away so easy and was in tag with the Red Bull. The action and excitment was between Hamilton, Alonso and Hulkenberg which lasted until the flag while Sutil who managed to pit for fresh tyres and checkup was given drive through penalty for speeding in the pit lane,
 
As the fight for the lower places was intense, reigning World Champion Vettel crossed the chequered flag 4.2seconds ahead of the Lotuses of Kimi Raikonnen and Romain Grosjean while Hulkenberg on the Sauber defended 4th position from Hamilton and Alonso in 5th and 6th respectively.

Rosberg came in 7th ahead of Button, Massa and Perez who completed the top 10 while both Torro Rosso's of Vergne and Ricciardo retired with mechanical failure few laps earlier.

Hightlights of the race

– Frantic lap one with Massa spinning off in turn 3 almost taking team mate Alonso
– Nico Rosberg showing fire works when his front nose went loose scrapping the track
– Perez front tyre delamination on back straight causing Safety car to clean tyre debris
– On restart Sutil hits Webber causing a fire in the RedBull
- Surprise Fire Marshall car coming into the track even before the safety car was called in
- Raikkonen late overtaking team mate Grosjean so close on the main straight moments before the safety car
- Hamilton in exciting action with Hulkenberg and Alonso 

2013 Korean Grand Prix - Race Results